IT and architect firms relocate to iconic period building in Leeds
A global provider of imaging IT solutions and a national commercial architect’s firm have accelerated their growth plans by relocating to the Calls Landing building in Leeds.
Sectra Medical and Box Architects will now occupy the second and third floors of the period building overlooking the River Aire, with strategic property advisors, Fox Lloyd Jones and Carter Towler having received a wealth of enquiries for the property since it was first brought to market earlier this year.
Built in the early 1900s as a warehouse to support the adjacent Grade II listed Fletland Mills, Calls Landing will offer its new tenants a modern, creative workspace environment, which still retains its original industrial features. Owned by property investment company King & Co., it is uniquely situated in the heart of the vibrant Calls district of Leeds and offers easy access to both the train and bus stations and other main city centre amenities.
Sectra Medical was founded in Sweden in 1978 and quickly established a reputation as a major innovator within medical IT and cybersecurity, supporting healthcare organisations across the globe. It now operates across 18 countries and has agreed a five-year lease to operate its regional office from Calls Landing, by occupying 2,390 sq ft of space on the second floor.
With offices in Leeds and London, Box Architects will occupy a 1,237 sq ft space on the third floor, having also secured a five-year lease. The firm specialises in commercial projects in sectors ranging from health and education to sports and leisure.
Harry Finney, associate director at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “With Calls Landing situated in one of the most exciting areas of Leeds city centre and a building which retains all its traditional period features and charm, demand for creative workspaces of this calibre is inevitably high.
“To welcome to the property a global innovator within medical IT and cybersecurity and a nationally renowned architect’s firm, is hugely satisfying. The workspace provides the perfect location for both businesses to thrive and spearhead their growth plans across the region.”
John King, director at King & Co, added: “Calls Landing is an iconic period building steeped in history and has always been a hugely desirable office location for creative and professional service businesses across Leeds.
“With picturesque views overlooking the river and convenient access to all the local amenities in the Calls area and city centre, I’m confident both businesses will feel energised by moving to their new home.”
Clem McDowell, director at Carter Towler, said: “Calls Landing is a terrific example of the wealth of commercial properties across Leeds that are rich in heritage and history but also designed to meet the modern office needs of businesses operating across a range of sectors.
“It’s been a pleasure working closely with King & Co and FLJ to help bring this property to market and we wish Sectra Medical and Box Architects all the best in their new home.”
Planning application submitted for key 43-acre M18 site in Yorkshire
Privately-owned property development company, Premcor Estates (Premcor), has submitted a planning application for its 43-acre, Mode 18 development site at Junction 3 on the M18.
The planning application relates to the redevelopment of the overall site at Rossington, Doncaster, which has the potential to deliver around 450 new jobs.
Planning permission was granted three years ago at the site for the installation of a much-needed Link Road to divert industrial traffic from the surrounding residential areas and construction of this road forms part of the proposed scheme works.
Proposals include for a mix of employment and an element of operational vehicle storage with supporting infrastructure including a gatehouse.
A further planning application will be submitted shortly for land to the western end of the new Link Road for roadside uses, including an electric vehicle charging station and petrol station with shop, as well as providing new restaurant/coffee shop facilities with drive-through lanes.
Premcor director, Rob Lane, said: “We acquired this site off market and have spent the last four years on site assembly. Our work has also included securing agreements for a new Link Road for commercial traffic to the Bankwood Lane Estate to bypass Rossington and the large volume of residential development that has taken place there.
“The Link Road will make a big difference to local residents and Doncaster Council who have been supporting and promoting the link road for the last six years.
“We have ambitious plans for the site which will build on our established links with major occupiers. Potential occupiers have already been secured for the petrol filling station and the EV charging facility as well as two restaurants with drive through provision. We will also be welcoming Yard Storage Solutions, which will provide self-storage and commercial storage facilities, on the remainder of the site.”
Mode 18 is so called because of its location on the M18, close to the A1(M) and M1 Motorways as well as its proximity to the iPort Rail terminal which is just a five-minute drive away.
The two separate planning applications could generate and sustain over 500 new full and part time jobs – the proposed employment development site at the eastern end of the new Link Road will lead to the creation of around 450 jobs, while the commercial / retail uses at the western end of the new Link Road, provide a further 87 new jobs.
Premcor has appointed the Sheffield office of ID Planning to handle the planning application for Mode 18. Director, Jeremy Williams, said: “ID Planning is well known for providing creative and innovative planning solutions for complex development proposals and this has been one such. We are hopeful that we will receive a positive determination as a result of the local support for the Link Road and the general development proposals, which will make a tremendous difference.
“Whilst the Link Road alone will deliver many local benefits, Premcor plans to bring forward a phased commercial development across several sites in need of regeneration and investment. This will support existing local commercial businesses and provide substantial new, modern warehouse space and general industrial floorspace that will also attract inward investment, so there is an appetite to get started on site as soon as possible.”
Architects for Mode 18 are C4 Architects and the Sheffield offices of Knight Frank and BNP Paribas have been advising.
Raworths appoints new leadership for TWE team
Harrogate-based Raworths has made a change of leadership at the helm of its Trusts, Wills and Estates (TWE) team. Partners Alison Walker and Sam Jenner are stepping up to take over as joint heads of the 23 strong team.
Alison’s and Sam’s promotions will enable the former Head of TWE, Rachel Tunnicliffe – who has led the team for a decade – to focus on expanding her other leadership roles as Senior Partner at Raworths and Head of Private Client Services. She will continue to manage her existing portfolio of client work offering specialist legal advice on wills, trusts and succession planning.
Rachel Tunnicliffe, Senior Partner at Raworths, said: “I’m so proud of this incredible team. On the back of achieving national recognition at the recent Chambers HNW awards – which are solely based on feedback from our clients and contacts – now is the perfect time to hand over the reins. Alison and Sam each bring a unique set of skills and knowledge which together make for an inspirational leadership team.
“I’m looking forward to embarking on a new chapter at Raworths, supporting our Managing Partner, Simon Morris, in my role as Senior Partner and Head of Private Client Services – and continuing to work with my clients, many of whom I’ve advised for more than two decades and who I hope to continue working with for a long time to come.”
Alison Walker, who joined Raworths in 2015, advises on all aspects of wills, trusts and wider succession, wealth structuring and tax issues, particularly for business owners. Alison has specialist knowledge in the administration of complex estates, with business interests and overseas property.
Sam Jenner, who has been with the firm since 2014, offers a breadth of technical expertise on complex succession planning, administration of estates, family investment companies, wills and tax. Sam is also involved in leadership on the firm’s IT projects. Both Sam and Alison play an instrumental role in mentoring younger members of the team.
Alison said: “I’d like to thank Raworths for this opportunity. Rachel has been an inspirational leader over the last ten years, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside Sam to oversee the future direction of the team, whilst providing the very best service to our clients.”
Sam added: “I have really enjoyed mentoring junior team members and as joint head of TWE, I hope to play an even bigger role in the development of the next generation of talented lawyers. Raworths has a special culture that places value on building relationships, as a team within the firm and with our clients and referrers.
“Alison and I both have families – and I’m glad that Raworths supports joint leadership roles that enable us to have work/life balance, which can only be a positive for both our professional and personal lives.”
Heb Group expands with new Leeds office
The Heb Group, a provider of mechanical, electrical, facilities management as well as cleaning services, has expanded with a new office in Leeds.
Located at Viscount Court, 243 Leeds Road, Rothwell, the new office marks a significant step in the company’s strategic expansion across Yorkshire and the broader UK as it heads towards a group turnover of £40 million.
The opening of the Leeds office follows a series of significant developments at Heb Group, including a recent full rebrand from the HE Barnes brand and the launch of additional offices in Liverpool.
Martin Womersley at Heb Group said: “We are excited to expand our footprint in Leeds, a vibrant and growing city. This new office will enable us to better serve our clients in Yorkshire and beyond, while also providing a base for further growth in the North of England.
“Last year we celebrated 100 years in business, which showcases our longevity as we now look to the future and expand to meet the changing needs of our clients both regionally and nationally.”
Bridge-to-bridge bikers gear up to establish annual charity challenge
The organisers of a bridge-to-bridge cycle challenge are bidding to make it an annual event reinforcing the Sailors’ Children’s Society’s nationwide reach with the backing of growing numbers of businesses.
Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group, completed the inaugural event in 2023 as the sole cyclist covering 212 miles from the Severn to the Humber in one day.
For this year’s event he will be joined by three more businesses and seven new riders. Plans are coming together to increase the peloton to 20 or 25 next year, and then the brakes will really come off!
Natasha Barley, CEO of the Sailors’ Children’s Society, said: “We’re already looking at another step up next year because more businesses are showing interest, and not just locally because we are a national charity with supporters all over the country.
“The vision is to grow it year on year. The more riders we get, the more prestige we will build and the more money we will raise to help the families who rely on us. It will become a key fixture in our calendar and it started as a fantastic gift from Adam.”
The Society, which is based in Hull and is 203 years old this year, works nationally to support disadvantaged children from the Royal Navy, merchant navy, offshore wind industry, fishing fleets and inland waterways.
Adam took up his post in 2022 and was hooked by the links between the charity and a business whose founder first went to sea in 1813, became master of his own ship in 1826 and opened his chandlery in the Old Town of Hull in 1833.
Adam said: “We are steeped in maritime and the work of Natasha and her team resonates so strongly with the heritage of the group. Our business relies on those seafarers, and the work the Society does to support families aligns so closely with what we do.”
This year John Good Group has partnered with Boluda Towage SMS Ltd, Drax and MS3 to assemble a team of eight who will set off from the Severn Bridge first thing on Saturday 14 September and aim to reach the Humber Bridge on the afternoon of Sunday 15 September. Sponsorship has come from Eastern Airways, DFDS, Spectrum and Ken Ellerker Cycles.
Among the riders will be Simon Clarke, commercial director of Boluda Towage SMS, and Martin Coffey, the firm’s operations manager.
Martin said: “I got involved because the company is closely associated with John Good Group and we have always been strong supporters of the Society. We also have some keen cyclists and it seemed a good opportunity for us as a business to raise some extra money for the charity.”
Angie Rawson, an accounts assistant at Boluda SMS, will also be taking part and has recruited husband Geoff as a guest rider. Both are members of the Hull Thursday Road Club, which dates back to 1908, and Geoff is the current president.
Geoff said: “We do a lot of cycling every weekend and in the evening. We ride all over East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and the furthest we have done is Newcastle and back in two days. That was 135 miles.
“We also have cycle holidays. We will be in Mallorca in October and we’ve completed the Paris Roubaix, a one-day ride from the north of Paris to the border with Belgium. It’s said to be the hardest sportif in Europe and is known to cyclists as ‘the Hell of the North’.”
Adam sees the ride as a test for the team and for the route, which will take them past Gloucester and Cheltenham, round the south of Birmingham, past Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham and then via Newark and Gainsborough to the Humber Bridge.
He said: “Last year it was just me in one day. A few people said they would have come with me if they’d known I was doing it so this year there are eight of us. We’re pretty confident. All but two of the riders are pretty accomplished and have decent miles in their legs. The two new ones have been putting the work in. They’ll find it tough but I’ve no doubt they will get through.
“One of the things we’ll be doing is considering whether the route works as well for more riders, so it’s a big fundraiser and a test event for the future.”
Natasha added: “What they are doing is amazing. It’s a phenomenal challenge that would be beyond so many people physically and mentally. They are going to be pushing themselves to the limit and giving it everything they have got.
“The whole idea is to build up an events calendar that people all over the country can take part in because we support families nationwide. We want more cyclists, and Angie will be helping us to recruit more women!”
To support the Bridge2Bridge fundraising ride please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/johngoodgroup
Lego displays boost footfall by 27,000 views in Harrogate
Businesses in Harrogate have said this year’s Lego Trail from the BID had an important impact on driving footfall and spend into the town, with models visited almost 27,000 times.
More than 26,900 visits were made to the designated QR code pages and the BID website during the Lego Trail, which is more than double the last time the trail was held in 2022. But, as the Lego Trail was mainly completed by families and groups of two or more, the figure of those that took part is likely to be closer to the 50,000 mark say organisers.
Feedback from BID Members has been highly positive and encouraging, with one stating: “It definitely increased our footfall and our income, so thank you for making such a difference to our work!”
Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman said the team was incredibly pleased to have brought another hugely successful Lego Trail to the town centre.
He said: “As the BID, we host a series of footfall and spend increasing campaigns and events across the year – and the Lego Trail has done just that!
“We’re so pleased it has brought such a positive feel to our town and we really appreciate all of the lovely feedback we’ve had so far.
“The Lego Trail is always a massively popular event in our calendar – and it seems this year definitely didn’t disappoint!”
Sale of Lincolnshire agricultural machinery business saves 68 jobs
Sixty-eight jobs in Lincolnshire have been saved following the pre-pack sale of the Burdens Group.
Headquartered in Boston, the company supplied a wide range of farm and groundcare machinery from leading manufacturers including New Holland, Horizon, Amarzone and JPM Trailers. From tractors and combine harvesters to trailers and mowers, its customers included farmers, groundcare professionals and potato growers across the UK.
The Burdens Group offered both new and used agricultural machinery for sale from its depots in Sutterton, North Kyme, Louth and Brigg. It also had a division providing agricultural machinery for hire.
The company began to experience financial difficulties due to the pressures facing the farming sector following poor weather during 2023 and 2024, resulting in poor crop yields, and this was exacerbated by changes to EU subsidies. These issues resulted in farmers reducing their investment in new machinery which had a significant impact on the company’s turnover.
Joint administrators Gareth Rusling and Robert Dymond of Begbies Traynor were subsequently appointed as joint administrators on 19th August and a sale of the business and assets was immediately completed to Russell’s (Kirbymoorside) Limited in Malton and Stevenage-based Ernest Doe & Sons Limited, representing the northern and southern sales respectively.
The sales secured 68 jobs therefore reducing total creditor claims.
A significant amount of tangible assets which were not sold to either purchaser will be disposed of by Eddisons Commercial Limited and are likely to be sold via auction.
“Having traded successfully for more than 40 years, the Burdens Group was a victim of problems hitting the farming sector with bad weather and changes to EU subsidies resulting in its key customer base reducing their spend,” explains joint administrator Gareth Rusling of Begbies Traynor. “We worked hard to quickly conclude a sale to two experienced agricultural businesses, and it’s fantastic that the sales have saved the jobs of 68 people.”
Ancora Law moves into former tannery premises in Beverley
Ancora Law has become the newest occupier of Minster House in Beverley after its refurb by property developer Wykeland Group.
The move is the latest milestone in Ancora’s journey with Wykeland, and means Minster House is now fully occupied for the first time.
Matt Hudson, Founder and MD of Ancora Law, said: “We have grown year on year since our inception at the beginning of 2020 and, until now, our office moves have always been fairly reactionary – with each new hire, we have moved to a slightly bigger unit.
“We felt that now was the time to recognise our growth and invest in an office space that is fit for the future.”
Minster House was built in 1816 as a warehouse used for the former Hodgson Tannery, which remained one of Beverley’s largest employers until its closure in 1978. The building was used as offices in the following years, but was vacant for more than a year before Wykeland began a restoration and reconfiguration scheme in 2019.
Wykeland invested more than £550,000 in bringing Minster House back to life, equipping it with a new entrance lobby, atrium and glass lift, making the building fully accessible for the first time, as well as adding new toilets and showers, and secure cycle storage.
The refurbished Minster House now offers over 9,000 sq ft of offices over three floors and forms part of Wykeland’s thriving Flemingate centre, which combines retail, leisure and commercial space.
South Yorkshire manufacturing supply chain event returns for 2024
Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturing Supply Chain Expo returns on 9th October at the Holiday Inn in Rotherham, attendance is completely free for visitors.
Organisers says the event will offer a unique opportunity for manufacturing contacts to explore a wide range of suppliers, creating a place for networking and contact building in a key industry for the Rotherham and Barnsley region.
Shane Young, Operations Director of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said “We are thrilled to host the Manufacturing Supply Chain Expo once again. This event is crucial in connecting local businesses, enhancing collaboration, and driving growth within our region’s manufacturing sector.
“By bringing together key players from across the manufacturing supply chain, we aim to create an event where partnerships can form, and local businesses can meet valuable new contacts.”
Call to establish taskforce to safeguard jobs in North Sea energy transition
The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for an independent taskforce to urgently examine energy transition in the North Sea and safeguard tens of thousands of UK jobs.
It comes after a new BCC report, published today, found a careful balancing act will be needed to reach Net Zero and protect the huge oil and gas sector workforce, alongside thousands more jobs linked to the industry across the UK.
The report recognises the UK must achieve its climate commitments, but says current fiscal plans for the oil and gas industry risk reducing investment and impacting current energy security.
The independent taskforce should bring together the experience and expertise of all the sectors impacted by North Sea operations, including the energy sector, economists, environmentalists and the unions. It would produce recommendations for the Government on the pathway to an accelerated North Sea transition while maintaining jobs, skills and employment. Crucially, it should also examine the fiscal regime for the industry for the long-term.
The report calls for a “national conversation” about the North Sea as a “critical asset”. It highlights recent estimates that 200,000 direct and indirect jobs across the UK are reliant on the oil and gas industry.
Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The imperative for Net Zero is ratcheting up daily as fresh evidence of the damage caused by climate change emerges. But it’s equally important that we manage this process to avoid catastrophic harm to our economy and workforce.
“We need an effective energy transition which does not cut adrift the tens of thousands of highly-skilled people across the UK who rely on the sector for their livelihoods.
“It must also balance the diversity of our power supplies, so that the UK’s energy security is not put at risk, and we do not become over-reliant on imported fuels.
“This means having a clear and integrated plan in place as soon as possible. Politicians cannot keep kicking the can down the road. It is in everyone’s interests to get round the table and find pragmatic solutions.
“There also need to be honest conversations about how this can be financed. Plans to reduce capital and investment allowances will undermine business confidence in the sector and jeopardise a successful transition.
“If private investment in the sector is put at risk, then the repurposing of infrastructure and the pathway forward are also put in doubt.
“We are therefore calling for the establishment of an independent taskforce to further our research and support the new Government. A partnership approach can create a future for the North Sea which preserves the investment and skills needed for the green economy and safeguards thousands of jobs.
“Last week’s announcement that Government will consult on new environmental guidance for the oil and gas sector, provides an opportunity for all parties to shape the fair and just future everyone wants to see. This report provides the framework for this to happen.
“Independent recommendations from a taskforce will help create a route towards the certainty and confidence that businesses, the workforce, unions and environmental groups can all believe in.”
